Saira Afzal Tarar awarding a degrees to the students during the convocation of Hamdard University.

March 31, 2016

Islamabad, the 31st March, 2016:- Addressing the Degree Awarding Ceremony of Hamdard University Islamabad Campus, Minister for National Health Services Mrs. Saira Afzal Tarar said Hamdard University is a prestigious institution in Pakistan. Its contribution in the development of the youth for tomorrow is commendable. I am glad to learn that the graduates of this campus are well positioned in their professional and academic pursuits, both nationally and internationally; she said.

She said we must pay tributes to the founder of this great seat of learning, Shaheed Hakeem Mohammed Saeed, who will always be remembered as an emblem of grace, who devoted his life to serve the humanity. The contributions that Shaheed Hakeem Mohammed Saeed made, particularly in healthcare and education are unique.

I would also like to acknowledge Sadia Rashid, who is proactively advancing the mission of her great father with dedication and commitment.

Minister said we need to promote democratic norms in our society. For this we need to promote a culture of tolerance and respect for diverse ideas. To this end role of higher education is pivotal. Education also plays a crucial role in the socialization process by supporting and embedding habits, skills and values needed for social cooperation and increased participation in society.

She shared with participants t that present Government has taken major steps to regulate the ignored discipline of traditional and herbal medicines which was unregulated since the creation of Pakistan. As soon as I took office as Minister, I started the rule making process after consultation with the stakeholders and provincial governments and succeeded to notify Alternative Medicines Rules on 27th May 2014. These rules address traditional herbal, unani, ayrvedic, sidda, homeopathic and biochemic medicines in addition to modern phytomedicines. These rules will ensure the availability of safe, effective and quality medicines to the local population. Our policies will also promote exports of Pakistani medicines throughout the World including developed countries. I am glad to inform this forum that our policies have broadened the scope of traditional medicine manufacturing units since now they can also manufacture food supplements which is convergence of herbal medicines and multivitamin-mineral products. This is the reason that investment of billions of rupees has been injected into this sector.

As you prepare to go out and serve humanity, always remember that honesty, integrity and compassion must be your guiding principles; she addressed to graduates.